Deceased: 2002-12-02
Diocese: WORCESTER
Seminary Graduation Year: 1957
Rev. Henry G. Bowen, 73, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church, died Monday, December 2, 2002, in the church’s rectory, after being stricken ill.
Born in Fitchburg, he was the son of Henry and Margaret (Mitchell) Bowen. He graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg and received a bachelor’s degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from Brown University in Providence, R.I. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and the North American College in Rome, before receiving his licentiate in sacred theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, where he was ordained a priest in 1956. He also earned a doctorate from Catholic University in Washington in 1963.
After being ordained, Father Bowen was assigned to St. Mary’s Church in Southbridge as assistant pastor. In 1959, he was appointed to the ministry of the Tribunal of the Diocese of Worcester; in 1964, he became a part-time faculty member at Anna Maria College in Paxton. In 1965, he became assistant judicial vicar and in 1966 also was appointed assistant chancellor for the Worcester diocese, while in residence at St. Paul’s Cathedral Rectory. In 1973, he was appointed co-pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Milford. He had served as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church since 1982, and had remained a judge and promoter of justice in the Diocese Tribunal. He is a past president of the Canon Law Society of America.
He leaves two sisters, Audrey Bowen Criado of Vero Beach, Fla., and Janet M. Bowen of Fitchburg; two brothers, John A. Bowen of Westminster and Robert B. Bowen of Lunenburg; three nieces and two nephews.
The funeral Mass with Bishop Daniel P. Reilly as principal celebrant will be held Friday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 341 June St., Worcester. A wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 in the church, with Bishop George E. Rueger officiating. Burial will be in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Fitchburg. Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Rev. Henry G. Bowen Seminary Fund, 49 Elm St., Worcester, Mass. 01609 or to the Clergy Benefit Plan, P.O. Box 498, North Uxbridge, Mass. 01538.
